Cuba Crisis: Caribbean Leaders Call for Dialogue Amid US Oil Embargo

Published: 26 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Caribbean leaders have called for urgent dialogue and de-escalation amid the US oil embargo on Cuba. The summit, attended by 15 nations from the Caribbean and the Americas, focused heavily on US interventions in the region and their escalating humanitarian and economic consequences. Discussions at the Caricom meeting in St Kitts and Nevis emphasised collaboration and regional strategy to address the growing crisis affecting Cuba and neighbouring states. The focus keyword for this report is Cuba.

During the opening ceremony of the four-day Caricom summit, regional leaders stressed the importance of strategic collaboration to counter recent US policies. Jamaica’s prime minister and outgoing Caricom chair, Andrew Holness, highlighted the need for constructive dialogue between Cuba and the United States, stressing that peaceful solutions must be prioritised. Holness emphasised that Cuba has historically contributed medical and educational support across the Caribbean, noting the country’s ongoing role in regional welfare and development.

Holness warned that the humanitarian and economic strain in Cuba could trigger wider consequences, affecting migration, security, and economic stability across the Caribbean basin. “It must be clear that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba alone,” Holness stated, urging immediate attention from regional and international actors. He noted the severity of energy shortages, growing humanitarian challenges, and increasing food scarcity impacting Cuban citizens.

Cuba’s UN resident coordinator, Francisco Pichón, highlighted the impact of the US oil embargo on disaster recovery and aid distribution. He explained that Hurricane Melissa, which struck eastern Cuba as a category 3 storm last October, has left many areas in critical need of support. Pichón warned that fuel shortages are crippling logistics chains across Cuba, restricting essential services and humanitarian relief. “The energy blockade affects the entire logistics chain involved in being able to work in Cuba at this time, anywhere in the country,” he explained.

The incoming Caricom chair and prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, shared a personal account of Cuba’s difficulties, reflecting on his seven years living and studying in the country. He described severe food shortages, limited access to clean water, disrupted electricity, and growing sanitation challenges. Drew urged Caricom to act as a conduit for dialogue and humanitarian support, emphasising that regional collaboration could alleviate suffering and provide constructive engagement with the US.

The summit also addressed wider US interventionist policies in the region over the past year, including pressure on Caribbean nations to reject Cuban medical missions and align with US geopolitical interests. These policies have sought to influence local relations with China and introduce US military hardware into Caribbean countries. Leaders at the summit expressed concern that such measures undermine regional stability and threaten Caribbean peace zones.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Caribbean leaders on Wednesday during the summit to discuss regional security and humanitarian issues. His visit comes more than a month after the US carried out military operations against Venezuela, resulting in the arrest of its former leader Nicolás Maduro, who faces accusations of collaborating with drug cartels. Rubio’s discussions are expected to touch on US-Caribbean cooperation and the ongoing embargo affecting Cuba.

The military dimension of US intervention has already had deadly consequences for the region. Since early September, at least 151 people have been killed in US strikes targeting suspected “narco-terrorists” in small boats, many of whom were Caribbean nationals. The latest operation, conducted on Monday in the Caribbean Sea, resulted in three fatalities, sparking condemnation from affected families. Critics argue that no verified evidence has been presented linking the targeted boats to illicit drug activities, intensifying calls for accountability and regional oversight.

Amid these developments, Caribbean leaders have stressed the importance of balancing diplomatic, economic, and security considerations while protecting human rights. Holness underscored that de-escalation and dialogue must replace military action, warning that continued aggression would exacerbate migration pressures and economic instability. The summit’s discussions also highlighted the potential for Caricom to serve as a neutral platform for negotiation, fostering constructive engagement between the US and Cuba while protecting regional interests.

Humanitarian concerns remain central to the summit, with leaders noting that Cuba’s ongoing fuel crisis affects transportation, healthcare, and food distribution. Holness explained that shortages not only disrupt daily life but also hinder broader regional resilience, as Caribbean economies are interconnected. Drew echoed these points, stating that Caricom must champion practical solutions to alleviate suffering while encouraging dialogue and reform.

Observers noted that Cuba’s strategic role in regional medical and educational initiatives amplifies the stakes of the embargo. Countries across the Caribbean rely on Cuban healthcare personnel and teachers, and disruption to these programs could have long-term impacts. Summit discussions emphasised that constructive engagement and multilateral solutions are essential to preserving stability, preventing economic collapse, and mitigating the humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of Caribbean citizens.

The summit concluded its opening day with a unified call for measured responses to US policy pressures, highlighting the risks of unilateral action and military interventions. Leaders stressed that regional cooperation and diplomatic negotiation provide a sustainable path toward security, economic stability, and human welfare. Delegates agreed to monitor the humanitarian situation in Cuba closely, with Caricom acting as a facilitator for ongoing dialogue and support.

As Caribbean leaders continue discussions throughout the four-day summit, the emphasis remains on dialogue, humanitarian assistance, and strategic collaboration to mitigate the effects of the embargo. Experts suggest that the outcomes of these deliberations could shape US-Caribbean relations and influence broader regional policies affecting trade, migration, and development.

The situation in Cuba remains delicate, with the embargo intensifying economic hardship and limiting access to essential goods. Holness and Drew, alongside other Caricom leaders, stressed the importance of a proactive regional response to prevent further escalation and protect the wellbeing of Caribbean citizens. Their combined voices advocate for solutions rooted in diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and sustainable regional collaboration.

In summary, the Caricom summit in St Kitts and Nevis highlighted the urgent need for dialogue between Cuba and the US while addressing humanitarian challenges. Leaders warned that continued economic and military pressure could destabilise the Caribbean, emphasising that collective regional action is critical. The discussions underscored Cuba’s pivotal role in the Caribbean and the importance of supporting citizens through diplomatic engagement, relief efforts, and multilateral cooperation.

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